Far-reaching cricket decisions likely

Press, 7 August 1976, Page 52

Far-reaching cricket decisions likely

By R. T. BRITTENDEN Matters of much more moment than can usually be expected at a winter week-end meeting will be before the New Zealand Cricket Council’s Board of Control today and tomorrow. It has some major decisions to make. One of the most important will be on the organisation of national coaching. For the last 10 years or so, this has been sponsored, on a substantial scale, by Rothman’s Ltd, but the firm’s backing will end on March 31.

In those 10 years, the national coach, Martin Horton, has organised a vast and successful coaching programme. The scale and organisation of coaching next year may not be easily determined.

The itinerary for the Australian tour of New Zealand will be decided at the meeting — but it is not likely to be released until later next week, so that the Australian Board of Control can confirm it and take its part in a dual release. New Zealand’s itinerary for its Indian tour will also be made final.

The board chairman, Mr W. A. Hadlee, will report on the recent meeting at Lord's of the International Cricket Conference, and the board will be required to work on changes in the playing conditions arising from the I.C.C. meeting. There will also be a discussion on Auckland’s proposal to host the Rothman’s under-23 tournament before Christmas this year — a departure from precedent which brings some problems with it.

Last season was the first of the Shell Series, but weather, and the substantial points lead established by Canterbury and Otago, were among factors which diminished interest in a competition designed to enliven the game, and support for it. The organisation of the competition, and the allocation of sponsorship money, may well be revised this weekend.

For the general public, perhaps the most vital news which will come from the meeting will be the availability of at least two of the players chosen for the tour of Pakistan and India, which will begin early in October. One player’s fitness is in doubt, after a rugby injury; at least one other player has financial problems which could lead to his withdrawal.

Compared with other sports, cricket has particular cost worries. Players receive, on tour, an out of pocket allow’ance which is better than in many other sports. But the governing body provides far less than is generally supposed in its outfitting programmes. Players are issued with a limited array of flannels, shirts, socks and ties, with blazer and cap.

But on tour, particularly in countries such as Pakistan and India, and especially for bowlers, there is a great need for a lot more playing apparel than that. Moreover, the council provides no bats or pads or gloves and a New Zealand player going on tour has to spend a very large sum. Top-class bats cost more than $6O, pads about $5O, gloves, boots and

the various items of protective gear are all at substantial prices. These costs relate particularly to those members of the team who are subject to State Services Commission control in their employment. Some years ago the commission decided to allow $3.50 a day to be paid in allowances by national sports bodies to members of national sporting teams.

But if the sports body’s allowance exceeded $3.50, the difference is deducted from the player’s pay. Further, full pay for members of national teams is limited to eight weeks; the cricket team will be away for about 11 weeks. Cricket authorities feel that their council is, in effect, subsidising the government by assisting in the saving of salary payments. There is a feeling that there is not full awareness of the difference in situation of cricketers with those representing New Zealand and most other sports. The heavy outlay by the cricketer on equipment for a tour certainly varies greatly from that of a swimmer, a rugby player, or a member of a darts team, embarking on a similar expedition. The week-end meeting of the board may have some answers to these present problems.

Soccer.—The Argentinian football club, Rosario, has finally agreed to let Its star centreforward, Mario Kempes, go to Valencia of Spain for a huge SUS6OO,OOO transfer fee. Kempes had decided not to play any more for the Argentinian club when it refused to transfer him to Valencia for $U5450,000.